By Leicester Mercury | Posted September 12, 2012
De Montfort University's vice-chancellor has posted a spoof video on YouTube to promote a charity fund-raising venture for LOROS & Prostaid.
Professor Dominic Shellard wants to create the world's biggest ever lip-syncing flashmob by enlisting the help of thousands of students, staff and residents.
Using the power of the internet video sharing site, he is hoping to recruit about 5,000 people to mime to Bonnie Tyler's 1980s rock classic Holding Out For A Hero.
The video promoting the stunt, which will raise money for two charities, sees Prof Shellard imitate Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, complete with revolving chair and cat, while the Mission Impossible theme music plays in the background.
Professor Shellard said: "I wanted to do something that was ambitious and a bit mad and having had a Royal visit with about 5,000 in Magazine Square, I knew it could be achieved.
"I was inspired by another university in Toronto which did the same and, after a quick straw poll of students, they agreed the song was appropriate and not too old.
"It's our hope that we can get Bonnie Tyler to the event itself and there will be plenty of 80s-style wigs to go around on the day.
"We have lots of people who are heroes taking part, from doctors and nurses to Army personnel, but actually the idea is that everyone involved is a hero for helping to raise money."
The lip-syncing stunt is set to take place in Magazine Square, Leicester, on November 7, to raise funds for LOROS hospice and ProstAid, a charity that offers support, information and awareness of prostate cancer.
It is hoped the event, which will be recorded by a film production company, will raise at least £5,000.
Prof Shellard said: "I had a great time making the You Tube video. Now we just need lots of people to get involved."
Prof Shellard is among several people to be challenged to raise funds by solicitors Grant Thornton, as part of the firm's executive quest campaign.
The company, which has officers in Leicester, hopes to raise thousands by persuading high-profile bosses to come up with fund-raising ideas.
Ian Warrington, student union officer for activities, said: "It's going to be amazing and we hope as many people as possible will want to get involved. The song is really uplifting."
LOROS corporate fundraiser Alex Gamble said: "It's so exciting to see the vice-chancellor leading from the front to show students that it's important to give back."
To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/ DMU-VCFlashMob
To take part, e-mail: heroes@dmu.ac.uk
To see Prof Shellard's video, visit: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=EMXrNm8x4sQ
